The 9 Best Crystal River Manatee Tours

1.Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,782 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76Our pick

Swim beside wild manatees in Crystal River with an in-water guide, small groups, free gear, a boat ride, and time at Three Sisters Springs.

“I went out to swim manatees on my birthday with a group of brave friends. It was an amazing experience! We saw so many manatees, and fish while in the water. Our group got very close to them, and there were several curious babies. I would recommend you get out and try this! The only thing was I was hoping for some good photos - but the water was so murky I didn’t think it was worth buying the photo album at the end. If you can bring your own underwater device, that might be better.”

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2.The ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,539 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

Swim with wild manatees in Crystal River on a small-group tour with gear, an in-water guide, photographer, and warm drinks included.

“What a great time with Wade and Sheila! We got up close with two adults and a baby. Safe clearly explained the different sensations floating in a wetsuit which was invaluable information. Shelia was about to keep our whole group, 7 adults, together and active and one of the adult manatees came right up to her to play before he moved on to play with another person in our group. We all had a great time and my husband and I will definitely come back the next time we’re in town.”

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3.Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,300 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Swim with wild manatees in Crystal River on a small-group boat tour with an in-water guide, gear, and optional underwater photos.

“Just being in the water with the manatee in their natural environment. The staff were great in finding a manatee and letting us hang out with it for a little while before riding on.”

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4.Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Paddle Crystal River in a clear kayak, visit Three Sisters Springs, or spot manatees with a guide on this small-group Florida tour.

“The tour is excellent. The Kayak is very easy to ride, stable, and safe. The guide was great, and we got to see the manatees up close, even passing below the glass kayak. The guide also took some fantastic pictures of us and shared them with us at the end of the tour.”

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5.3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,692 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Swim with wild manatees in Crystal River on a six-person tour with gear, wetsuits, local guides, bottled water, and free photos.

“Great local captain & guide, warm heated boat and hot beverages after the swim was wonderful - small group size made for a great experience! Many thanks!!!”

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6.Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,336 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Swim with wild manatees in Crystal River on a six-person tour with wetsuits, guides, photos, hot drinks, and a strong focus on animal respect.

“Great company! Clean wetsuit, clean house to get change etc. very professional guide, super nice and patient with us especially the little one. We had fun. Saw a bunch of manatees. Highly recommend!”

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7.Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,023 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

Swim beside wild manatees in Crystal River on a heated six-person pontoon tour with gear, guides, drinks, and optional photos.

“Captain Melissa and James were wonderful guides. We got to see multiple manatees as well as learn about the colourful history of King's Bay! They were great with adults and kids and people with little snorkelling ability.”

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8.All-Inclusive Small Group Manatee Swim with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 810 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Swim with wild manatees in Crystal River on a six-person tour with gear, guide, hot chocolate, parking, and free photos included.

“Mandy and John have an amazing tour! We were the only people in our tour, and we were able to have personal instruction and time with the manatees. We arrived for a 1000 tour which was perfect timing before all the rest of the groups arrived. We had so many manatees swim up to us and under us! Mandy was very patient and stayed in the water as long as my youngest wanted to (he outlasted us all). John provided us with some hot mochas to warm up when we got back on the boat. This was a perfect experience - something I’ve been waiting to do for decades and…”

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9.Manatee Snorkel Tour w/ In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 633 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

Snorkel with manatees near Three Sisters Springs on a small-group pontoon tour with a Coast Guard captain and in-water photographer.

“The season we visited manatees was not optimal, but the crew dit very good work and we got what we were expecting.”

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